Sterngasse 4 – What Karin Neuhold Would Wear

Karin Neuhold, founder of the Vienna based concept store Sterngasse 4, takes us through what it takes to follow one’s dreams and make them a reality. Sterngasse 4 combines high-end fashion labels with a careful selection of accessories, jewels, and even books.

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Copenhagen’s Most Intimate Fashion Treasure

Holly Golightly has been referred to as a little treasure in the centre of Copenhagen. This intimately elegant fashion store offers a selected range of international labels within a local selection of Scandinavian labels. Today we are interviewing the founders Marlene Bernth and Barbara Werner, who, as some have said, are so stylish as to have been seen riding their bikes on high heels.

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A Walk Into Park: Interview with Helmut Ruthner and Markus Strasser

Today we are giving you a little insight into Vienna’s design scene, by focusing on one of the leading fashion and design retailers of the city. Fashion, design and art come together under one roof to offer those lucky enough to step through Park’s doors a relaxed, select, and highly aesthetic environment.

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In Conversation With Seven New York’s Joseph Quartana

A pioneer in avant-garde and experimental fashion, Joseph Quartana, founder of the worldwide famous New York store Seven, takes us through what it means to work in fashion nowadays, and how to be respected for it.

FM: Who are you and what’s your background?

JQ:  My name is Joseph Quartana, and I co-founded the multi-label select shop Seven New York back in ‘99.  I grew up in new Jersey, but I moved to New York as soon as possible. I got a scholarship for NYU and went there to study Economics and Social Psychology. I spent most of my time with fashion students from Parsons, who inspired me to get into the fashion business. My aim was to become a buyer, but no department stores would hire me, so i became a banker, i made a small fortune, and opened my own shop.

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Dr. Helmut Marko on Schlossberghotel’s Art Collection

At the beginning of the 70s he was a Formula One racing driver. Later he became a barrister, and as if to never be accused of not having lived a life diverse enough, he’s even opened 2 hotels in Graz. Even a brief glance at Dr. Helmut Marko’s CV is an inspiration to go after the things in life that you enjoy. Recently we caught up with him to ask a few questions about his art collection in White Line Hotels edit Schlossberghotel — wait, did we forget to mention he’s an art collector too?

Racing Driver. Barrister. Hotelier. Art collector. You’ve certainly been known by many titles. What do all these things share for you?

That’s easy to answer: passion.

When you started planning the Schlossberghotel, was the concept of it as an “art hotel” there from the beginning, or was that something that evolved?

We never had a concept of an „art hotel“. It evolved during the time.

Obviously a hotel is a very different space for viewing art than a museum or gallery is. What are the best things about this kind of atmosphere for art? Are there any drawbacks?

Not at all! It is pleasure for me to see the art every day and to make it possible for our guests to enjoy them with me.

Schlossberghotel has been called Europe’s finest art hotel, and your collection housed in it certainly is impressive. What was the first work of art you saw that inspired this passion?

My first picture was from Hans Staudacher, with the title “Spuren”. In English I would say “to leave one´s mark”. There is so much inspiration and lightness combined with a kind of craziness in the picture. It is still in the Schlossberghotel and it reminds me all the time of this passion.

From what I understand, the collection isn’t just in public spaces at the hotel, but in the rooms as well. Do people ask when making a reservation to be placed in a room with a work by a favorite artist? Do you think that chance for real intimacy with a work is one of the draws of the Schlossberg?

The art is everywhere! In all rooms, breakfast area, lobby etc. as well as sculptures at the roof top terrace and inner court yards. Sure, we have guests who prefer some special rooms!

Your collection is very focused on Austrian art. Do you feel a particular connection to local art and artists?

I combine art with all my travels around the world. If there is a fantastic picture, for example, in China – I buy it as well. The focus is on Austria, especially on young talents.

What’s next for you?

Let’s see. Step by step. Nothing special in mind…